Folding rocking-chair



June 12, 1928.

L. 0. BERGMANN FOLDING ROCKING CHAIR Filed May 5, 1926 2 Sheets$hee,t

lao 0. Z3 any WW June 12, 1928. 1,673,387

7 L. o. BERGMANN FOLDING ROCKING CHAIR Filed May 5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet2 imam:

2 1 w mf- 7 w Z20 Q/Jafw ma m of this particu Patented June 12,1928.-

UNITED STATES LEO o. BERGMANN, or comma,- meme.

FOLDING ROCKING- CHAIR.

Application filed May a ece. Serial no.'1oe,a24.

- This invention relates to folding rocking chairs of the kind in whichthe folding side frames are formed by members which are pivotallyconnected together, in such a manner that the chair is not only adaptedto be folded up, when not in use, but is also capable of a rockingmotion while occupied.

Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved construction of the foregoing general character, having certaindetails of construction, and involving certain novel combinations,tending to increase the general efliciency and the desirabilit of afolding rocking chair l ar character.

To these and other useful ends, the invention consists in matters andthings hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in the accompanyingdrawin in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a folding rocking chair embodyin theprinciples of the invention, showing tie same in its forward rockingposition.

Fig. 2 is a plan of said chair, as shown in Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the chair folded up for storage.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of said chair, showing it inits rear rocking position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail fragmentary View, on line 5-5 in Fi 4. r

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the chair.

Fig. 7 is a section on line 7-7 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail section of another portion of the chair.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the washer shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing another form of theinvention.

Fig. 11 is a section on line l1-11 in Fig. 10.

As thus illustrated, the invention com prises the upright rear sidemembers 1,

rearwardly inclined, and the forwardly in-- clined front side members 2as shown. The side members I are connected to the side members 2 throughthe medium of the arms 3 and links 4, the arms being pivoted on themembers 5, and the links 4 being pivoted 0n the members 2 at 6, and thearms and links being pivotally connected together by a sheetmetal-bracket hinge 7 as shown. The members 2 are disposed outside ofthe members 1, as shown, and these members 2 are con-" that itcannot benected together to form a rigid rectangular frame by means of the crossbars 8 and 9 as shown. Across bar 10 connects the lower portions of themembers 4 together, and a top cross bar 11 connects the upper ends ofthe members 1 together. The members 1 and 2 are also connected togetherthrough the medium of a link 12 which is pivoted on the members 1 at1'3, and which is pivoted on the members 2 at 14 as shown. To preventthe fingers from being squeezed between the ad acent edges of themembers 1 and the links 12, the latter have their rear ends providedwith guards 15, and to prevent squeezing of the fingers between thesemembers and the links 12 said links have their front end portionsprovided with guards 16 as shown. To limit the rocking motion of thechair the guards 16 are provided with slots 17 curved about the pivots14, through which the pivots 6 extend, so that each end of the slots 17forms a stop to limit the forward and backward rocking motion of thechair. The lower ends of the members 1 are pivoted on the base members18 and the lower ends of themembers 2 are pivoted on the shorter basemembers 19, the members 18 and 19 being pivotally connected together at20, forming tog 1e joints and the end portions 21 of the meniers 19engaging the stops 22 on the members 18, thus holding the toggle joints20 raised a distance from the floor when the chair is in use, but withthis construction the entire chair can be folded up as shown in Fig. 3of the drawings.

As a matter of further and special improvement, the pivots 6 are in theform of pins as shown in Fig. 8 which are slidable endwise into theslots 17 previously mentioned. The pivot 6 also has a sleeve 23 thatforms a ivot proper between the link 4 and the mem er 2, at each side ofthe chair, and a washer 24 is interposed between the link 4 and themember 2, at each side of the chair, to prevent squeaking. This isaccomplished, preferably, by providing the washer with holes 25 filledwith parafiin or some other lubricant, before they are inserted inplace. The cotter pin 26 is inserted through the outer end of the pin 6,and the inner end of the latter is riveted over at 27 as shown, sopulled out of the pivot joint thus formed, but when it is desired tofold the chair, then the pins 6 are pulled out as shown in Fig. 8, andwhen'it is desired to use the chair the pins 6 are then pushed backintothe slot 17 to limit the rocking motion of the chair.

It will also be seen that the pivot 7 is formed by a sheet metal bracket28 which is secured by screws 29 to the under side of the arm 3, and thedownwardly bent ears of which are connected by the pivot bolt 7 to theup or end of the link 4, at each side of the chair, thus providing ahinge oint which is strong and serviceable, and which permits freemovement of the link l relative to the arm 3 in either direction, thishinge joint imposing no limitation on such movement in the rockingmotion of the chair, which prevents squeezing of the fingers.

As a matter of further and special 1mprovement, it will be seen that themembers 11 and 30 are removable, these members supporting the flexiblemember or fabric 31 which forms the seat of the chair, which extendsover the member 8 reviously mentioned. The members 11 an 30 can be maderemovable in any suitable manner, as by the construction shown in Figs.6 and 7, or by the construction shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of thedrawings. In Figs. 6 and 7 the member 11, for example, is provided witha socket o ening 32 to receive the rounded head 33 oi the screw 34 whichis fastened in the up per end portion of the member 1, at each side ofthe chair. The member 11 has a spring device 35 therein, extendin acrossthe socket, to engage the head 33, an to snap into the neck of thishead, when the member 11 is ressed downward into position. As shown inFi s. 10 and 11, the member 11 is simply provi ed with a recess 36 neareach end thereof, and with a slot 37 in the bottom of this recess, toreceive the screws 38 which are fastened in the upper ends of themembers 1 of the chair. This permits the member 11 to be pushed out fromunder the heads of the screws 38 by loosening the latter, or by leavingthem a-little loose, in a manner that can be readil understood, and, ofcourse, the same separa le fastening means shown in Figs. 6 and 7, orshown in Figs. 10 and 11, or any suitable means for this purpose, can beemployed as the separable connections between the end portions of themember 30 and the front ends of the members 2 of the chair. With thisconstruction, therefore, the members 11. and 30 can be taken off easily,and the cloth or other flexible means 31 can then he slipped off, bywithdrawing the said members from the loops formed in the cloth, andfresh cloth can then be supplied in place thereof, thus making it veryeasy to renew the cloth seat of the chair, without the necessity ofusing tools.

As another feature of improvement, it will be seen that the members 18have front end extensions 39 which extend forward a distance in front ofthe lower ends of the elsewhere on front legs of the chair, which lowerends are well back under the seat of the chair, thus preventing thechair from tipping over forward. The portions 39 obviously serve also toprevent the toggle joints from rising when the chair is in use. When thechair is folded, the more or less flat structure thus formed terminatesat one end in the extensions 39 as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

It will be understood, of course, that the washer 24 may be used in anyof the pivot joints, being indicated in dotted lines, for example, inthe joint formed by the pivot 14 of the chair (see Figs. 1 and 4 of thedrawings). For convenience the washer 24 is shown as applied to thepivot joint formed by the pin 6 and the sleeve 23 as previouslydescribed. It will be understood that this washer can be used in anyjoint on the chair that is liable to squeak.

As shown, the upper ends of the links 4 are rounded to prevent the jointfrom imposing any limitation on the rocking motion of the chair, but itis obvious that any relative formation of the parts may be employedwhich will accomplish this purpose.

The cross bars 8 and 30, of course, form a rigid seat portion, and formthe front portion of the seat, and the flexible member 31 is hung onthis seat portion and the upper end portion of the back of the frame inthe manner explained, and the member 31 is flexible to permit therocking motion of the chair.

and to permit the articulated supporting means formed by the members 18and 19 to fold up, or to break joint upwardly, when the chair is folded.

It will also be understood, of course, that the guards, such as 15 or16, can be employed the chair, if desired, or wherever two parts whichare pivoted together would produce a shearing pressure on the fingers,if accidently inserted between the members. \Vith the construction asshown, there is practically no danger of anything of this kind exceptbetween the lower edges of the links 12 and the members to which theselinks are pivoted, and hence the guards are only shown at these points,but they can be used elsewhere on the chair if desired or necessary.

By rocking motion, or rocking chair, is meant, of course, a chair whichhas an easy rocking motion forward and back like an ordinary chair withrockers.

Without disclaiming anything, and without prejudice to any noveltydisclosed, what I claim as my invention is:

1. In a folding rocking chair, the combination of pivotally connectedelements forming a folding frame comprising a stiil back and front legsrigid therewith and capable of back and forth rocking motion when inuse, articulated supporting means formed by two laterally overlappingfront and rear members pivoted to ether through the overlap at eachsidewo the chair, upon which the legs of the chair are pivoted adaptedto remain stationary on the floor during such forward and back rockingmotion, adapted to fold. and break frame is folded, a seat portion rigidwith the rear legs, and a flexible seat and back member hung on saidseat portion and the back of the frame, with links connecting the frontleg members to the members forming the rear legs, said links havingguards to prevent pinching of the fingers between the lower edges of thelinks and the adjacent frame members, together with means to so limitthe forward and backward rocking motion of the chair that said guardsare effective for said purpose.

2. In a folding rocking chair, the combination of pivotally connectedelements forming a folding frame comprising a stiff back and front legsrigid therewith and capable of back and forthrocking motion when in use,articulated supporting means formed by two laterally overlapping frontand rear members pivoted together through the overlap at each side ofthe chair, upon which the legs of the chair are pivoted adapted toremain stationary on the floor during such forward and back rockingmotion, to fold and break joint upwardly frame is folded, a seat portionrigid with the rear legs, and a flexible seat and back member hung onsaid seat portion and the back of the frame, with links connecting thefront leg members to the members forming the rear legs, arm linksextending downward, and rocking motion limiting devices applied to thelower ends of said armlinks and said first mentioned links and the rearleg members, each of said devices comprising a pin slidable endwise inthe adjacent portions of the arm'links and the rear leg members, saidfirst mentioned links having slots to receive the inner ends of saidpins, the opposite ends of each slot forming stops to engage the pinand. thereby limit the forward and backward rocking motion of the chair.

3. A structure as specified in claim 2, each of said slidable pinshaving a sleeve forming the pivot joint, taking the shearing strain offsaid pin.

4. A structure as specified in claim 2, each motion limiting devicehaving a washer having holes to contain a lubricant to preventsqueaking.

5. In a folding rocking chair, the combination of pivotally connectedelements forming a folding frame comprising a stiff back and front legsrigid therewith, and capable of back and forth rocking motion when inuse, articulated su porting means formed by two laterally over appingfront and rear members pivoted together through the overlap at each sideof the chair,

joint upwardly when the adapted when the upon which the legs of thechair are pivoted, adapted to remain stationary on the floor during suchforward and back rocking motion, forming toggle 'oints adapted to foldand break joint upwardly when the frame is folded, a seat portion ri idwith the rear legs, extending forward of the lower ends of the frontlegs, and a flexible seat and back member hung on said seat portion andback of the frame, said articulated supporting means being extendedforward a distance to bear on the floor at points a substantial distancein front of the lower ends of the front legs under said seat portion,thereby to prevent the chair from tipping over when it rocks forward,serving alsoto keep the toggle joints from rising during rocking motionof the chair, said seat and back member being flexible to permit foldingof said frame and said articulated supporting means in the desiredinanner, with said front extensions of the articulat'ed supporting meansextending beyond and in extension of the'front legs and forming oneextreme end of the flattened struc ture formed by the folded chair.

6. In a folding rocking chair, the combination of pivotally connectedelements forming a folding frame comprising a stiff back and front legsrigid therewith, having means whereby the chair is capable of back andforth rocking motion when in use, and including arms pivoted on thefront 1e members, together with links pivoted on t e rear leg members,and hinge joints between the said arms and the upper ends of said links,each of said hinge joints comprising a bracket secured tothe under sideof the arm, with downwardly extending ears, and with a pivot extendingthrough said ears and the upper end of the link between said ears, theupper ends of said links being formed to rotate freely a distance ineither direction close to the under side of the arm to prevent the hingejoints from imposing any limitation on either the rocking or foldingmotion of the chair, and means to limit the rocking motion.

,7. In a folding rocking chair, elements pivoted together to form thefoldin and rocking chair frame, a seat for the lame, and a guard on oneelement at each side of the seat in position to prevent pinching of thefingers between this element and another element pivoted thereto, saidguard having an edge disposed at an angle to the length of each of saidtwo elements, extending from the edge of the one element to and acrossthe opposing edge of the other element, together-with means to limit therocking motion in a manner to enable said guard to serve its fpurpose.

8. In a olding rocking chair, elements pivoted together to form thefolding and rocking chair frame, with a seat and a back with a stiffback, frame members forming mg motion of the chair, and the pin whenwithdrawn from said slot permitting the chair to be folded.

9. In a folding chair adapted to rock back and forth freely, with amotion similar to an ordinary rocking chair, the combination of framemembers forming front legs rigid a seat rigid with rear legs, means movaly connecting the first mentioned members with the second mentionedmembers, combining therewith to form a folding and rocking frame, reartoggle member supports upon which the rear legs are pivoted, fronttoggle members upon which the front legs are pivoted, the rear togglemembers having laterally overlapping pivotal toggle joint connectionswith the front toggle members, stops on said members to limit thedownward movement of the toggle joints, serving to kee the toggle jointsraised a distance from the oor, and front extensions for said fronttoggle members, said extensions bearing upon the floor a substantialdistance in front of the lower ends of the front legs to prevent saidtoggle joints from rising during the rocking motion of the chair, and toprevent the chair from tipping over when rocked forward.

10. In a foldin rocking chair, the combination of mem ers forming frontlegs rigid with a stiff back, other members forming a seat rigid withrear legs, pivotal supporting means for the legs, to support the chairon the floor, side links pivotally connecting the first mentionedmembers with the second mentioned members, guard means on said linksextending across the adjacent edge of the first mentioned members, guardmeans on said links extending across the adjacent edge of the secondmentioned members, means limiting the rocking motion of the chair,serving to always keep a portion of each guard means above its allotedsaid edge, thereby to prevent pinching of the fingers between said linksand said members.

Specification signed this 30th day of April, 1926.

LEO O. BERGMANN.

